What Is Diabetic Hypoglycemia?

Diabetic hypoglycemia is a serious condition resulting from a significant drop in one’s blood sugar levels. Common in diabetics, diabetic hypoglycemia can result in seizures and death if left untreated. Individuals who are likely to develop diabetic hypoglycemia are instructed to monitor their blood sugars and, if they’re insulin dependent, to take insulin as directed. If left untreated, hypoglycemia can be fatal.

Hypoglycemia generally occurs when one’s blood sugar drops below 70 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). Diabetes, also known as diabetes mellitus, is a condition where the body’s ability to properly metabolize blood sugar is impaired. The body uses sugar for fuel, and when that fuel supply is jeopardized the body is unable to function correctly.

When one’s blood sugar levels drop below 70 mg/dL, the person may become shaky, anxious or experience headache. It is not uncommon for mood swings and dizziness to accompany a drop in blood sugar. If sugar levels remain low, symptoms can worsen resulting in an impairment of cognition, sensory perception and the ability to speak. Delayed treatment for diabetic hypoglycemia can increase one’s risk for convulsions, loss of consciousness and death.

The pancreas is responsible for the production of insulin, which helps regulate blood sugar levels in the blood. As part of the regulatory process, the pancreas relies on help from the liver, which metabolizes and stores sugar, or glucose, that is taken from food. If one’s blood sugar drops too low, as occurs with diabetic hypoglycemia, the liver ups the amount of sugar it releases in order to maintain balance within the body. Sometimes the amount of sugar delivered by the liver may not be enough to bring up glucose levels, necessitating the use of supplemental insulin. It is not uncommon for individuals with diabetic hypoglycemia to be insulin-dependent.

Among hypoglycemics, individuals with low blood sugar, glucose levels may significantly drop if they do not take their insulin as recommended or increase physical activity without adjusting their eating habits or skip meals. If a person with diabetic hypoglycemia does not consume enough food to meet the body’s needs, glucose levels drop. In order to compensate for the depletion of sugar, insulin is used to raise blood sugar levels. If one takes too much insulin, a dramatic increase in sugar levels can result.

If blood sugars drop too low and the introduction of insulin is too great, chronic Somogyi rebound can occur. Chronic Somogyi rebound happens when the body is overwhelmed by the influx of insulin, which causes one’s blood sugar level to skyrocket. In order to avoid the rebound, individuals who are instructed to increase their insulin dose are advised to check their blood sugar levels more frequently, sometimes up to 10 times a day. If a continued increase in insulin dosage is required, it is recommended it be done in a progressive fashion. Additionally, the patient is instructed to be vigilant in recognizing the signs associated with an imbalance in his or her blood sugar.

Properly monitoring one’s blood sugar is the first line of defense against diabetic hypoglycemia. Diabetics are encouraged to take regular readings and monitor their blood sugar levels for any pronounced changes. Physicians generally use a glycated hemoglobin (A1C) test to obtain a reading of one’s blood sugar levels going back up to three months. Results from the test may then be compared to the readings the individual has taken on his or her own. If there are any discrepencies or issues, adjustments may be made to the individual's insulin or medication regimen as needed.